1. Program Definition and Services

Day Habilitation Services (classified as Community Participation Services under state terms) in New Hampshire provide structured, person-centered support to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The program aims to foster independence, improve daily living competencies, and build social links within local neighborhoods, preventing social isolation or institutional placement. Services include:

• In-Home Personal Care: Structured skill building and therapeutic engagement delivered within the individual’s private residence or a community setting (Skill Development, Communication Enhancement, Personal Hygiene Instruction, and Therapeutic Engagement)
• Residential Personal Care: Supervision and physical skill maintenance inside a certified day center hub or community setting (Social and Community Integration, Vocational Readiness, Health and Wellness Activities, Safety Education, and Documentation Tracking)

2. Regulations

The program is governed by the following regulations:

• New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules, Part He-M 507 (Community Participation Services)
• New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules, Part He-M 504 (Provider Agency Operations)
• New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) Chapter 171-A (Services for People with Developmental Disabilities)
• Federal Home and Community-Based Services Settings Final Rule (42 CFR § 441.301)

3. Licensing or Certification

Providers must be certified as an approved service provider by the Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS) under the He-M 504 framework. While community-based outings do not require a facility license, standalone day program sites must obtain a Life Safety Report and temporary-to-permanent site certification from the DHHS Community Residence Certification Unit.

4. Responsible State Agency

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) specifically working through the Division of Long Term Supports and Services (DLTSS), the Bureau of Developmental Services (BDS), and the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (BEAS), is responsible for reviewing applications, conducting safety audits, and certifying day habilitation providers.

5. Application Process

The application process tracks through a multi-stage review framework. Providers must first pass an initial screening by submitting a credentialing profile packet and a New Provider Self-Assessment directly to the BDS Provider Enrollment Unit (BDSProviderEnrollment@dhhs.nh.gov). Once cleared by the bureau, providers complete enrollment online through the New Hampshire Medicaid Provider Portal (NHMMIS.nh.gov).

6. Required Documentation

While requirements vary based on the target waiver, providers typically must submit:

• Business registration in good standing with the New Hampshire Secretary of State
• Agency policy manuals (activity planning protocols, emergency plans, training practices, and mission statements)
• Three signed business reference letters validating the applicant's capability to meet service obligations
• Proof of broad commercial general liability, professional liability, and multi-passenger vehicle commercial insurance
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7. Timeline for Approval

The exact timeline fluctuates based on agency capacity. Preliminary BDS programmatic screening, site visits (if operating a standalone center), and subsequent electronic NHMMIS portal registration typically take between 60 and 90 days from the submission of a complete packet.

8. Pre-Application Process

Prospective providers must complete specific foundation tasks before applying. They must establish their state business entity structure, secure an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), and obtain a Type 2 Organizational National Provider Identifier (NPI) mapped to specialized day habilitation or community participation taxonomies.

9. Pre-Application Training

The state hosts mandatory administrative and compliance training sessions online. Access instructions for NH Easy system management, billing codes, and claim submission structures under Chapter He-M 500 are sent to qualified applicants once preliminary materials pass initial BDS intake filters.

10. Additional Notes

• All physical day facilities and community gathering sites must satisfy strict federal HCBS Settings rules, ensuring true path-to-community options, participant privacy, and individual choice
• Day program operations must be led by qualified directors, with direct support services delivered exclusively by the certified agency's employed personnel
• All administrative staff, coordinators, and field personnel must pass background screenings and fingerprinting through the NH Department of Safety and clear the BEAS state abuse registry
• Providers must maintain detailed records of face-to-face interactions, attendance logs, and individual goal tracking tied to the participant's service agreement for Medicaid billing

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